Maesteg Town Hall

Clerestory Structural Roof Glazing in Wales for a Listed Town Hall

Maesteg Town Hall is a Grade II listed civic building that has stood at the heart of Maesteg since 1881. Its redevelopment restored the historic building while introducing new cultural and community facilities, including a public library and heritage centre, studio theatre, cinema, cafe, mezzanine bar and a fully restored 550 seat auditorium.

As part of the new foyer extension, IQ Projects worked alongside Initiate Architecture and Knox & Wells to deliver a substantial clerestory structural glass roof. Installed between the new extension and the original town hall, the roof glazing brings natural light into the triple height foyer while maintaining views of the historic facades.

Featured In

Shortlisted in the Community category at the RICS UK Awards Wales Region 2026

Credit

Architect: Initiate Architecture

Contractor: Knox & Wells

Photography: Phil Boorman

Location

Maesteg, Wales

Connecting Historic Architecture with a Contemporary Foyer

Before its redevelopment, Maesteg Town Hall had suffered from water ingress, structural decay and facilities that were no longer suited to contemporary audiences. The project required a sensitive balance between repairing its historic fabric and creating an accessible cultural destination capable of supporting a much broader range of community uses.

At the centre of the new scheme is a triple height glazed foyer connecting the original town hall with the contemporary extension. Housing the cafe, bar and box office, this space creates a welcoming public entrance and allows the historic exterior walls to remain visible from within the building. The roof glazing needed to span the full length of this connecting space while managing rainwater, solar gain and the structural demands of its exposed position.

Clerestory Roof Glazing Above the New Foyer

IQ Projects used the Invisio® system to create a significant example of clerestory structural roof glazing in Wales, measuring approximately 27.3m long and 2.6m wide. Installed between the original town hall and the roof of the new foyer extension, the clerestory glazing introduces daylight from above and helps preserve the visual distinction between the listed building and the contemporary addition.

The roof comprises 21 clear toughened double glazed panes, each measuring approximately 1.25m wide. Structural silicone sealed joints connect the individual units, creating a continuous glazed surface with minimal visual interruption. Glazed upstands align with the roof panes and extend along the full length of the installation, providing a consistent finish at the roof perimeter.

A three degree fall was incorporated into the structural glass roof to allow rainwater to run off effectively. This precise detailing was particularly important given the exposed roof location and the need to protect both the new foyer and the historic building fabric from future water ingress.

Glass Fins Supporting the Clerestory Roof Glazing

The structural roof glazing is supported by low iron laminated glass fins, maintaining transparency through the triple height foyer while providing the strength required for the overhead glass. These fins are fixed to the wall using stainless steel back plates and secured with stainless steel bolts, creating a robust support structure without introducing heavy opaque framing.

Low iron glass was selected for the supporting fins to improve clarity and reduce the green tint associated with standard clear glass. This allows the supporting structure to remain visually discreet and ensures that attention stays focused on the restored masonry and decorative facades of the original town hall.

Installing the glass roof required detailed planning and temporary works coordination. A mini crane was positioned on the roof to lift the glazing into place, with installation completed following an extended period of wet and windy weather. Close collaboration between IQ Projects, Knox & Wells and the wider project team enabled the large overhead glazing to be installed safely within the complex heritage redevelopment.

Performance Glazing for a Cultural and Community Building

The clerestory glazing was specified with solar control and low E coatings to help manage heat gain and thermal performance within the triple height foyer. Laminated interlayers provide additional strength and safety, while the clear toughened double glazed units were heat soak tested to reduce the risk of spontaneous glass breakage caused by non-detectable inclusions.

The completed redevelopment officially opened to the public on 20 November 2024. Maesteg Town Hall now supports performance, learning and community activity throughout the day and evening, with the glazed foyer forming an accessible new entrance and social gathering space at the heart of the building.

The project was shortlisted in the Community category at the RICS UK Awards Wales Region 2026. This recognition reflects the quality of the restoration and its wider social value, with the revitalised town hall once again serving as an important cultural landmark for Maesteg and the wider Llynfi Valley.

Technical Glazing Summary

IQ Projects provided the following structural glazing for Maesteg Town Hall:

  • Invisio® clerestory glass roof measuring approximately 27.3m long by 2.6m wide and comprising 21 double glazed panes.
  • Three degree roof fall with continuous glazed upstands for effective water run-off.
  • Clear toughened double glazing with solar control, low E coatings, laminated interlayers and heat soak testing.
  • Low iron laminated glass fins with stainless steel fixings supporting the roof glazing.
  • Structural silicone joints creating a continuous glazed finish with minimal visual interruption.

Speak to IQ Projects About Structural Roof Glazing in Wales

Maesteg Town Hall demonstrates how structural roof glazing in Wales can connect historic and contemporary architecture while introducing daylight into a new public foyer. The combination of an Invisio® glass roof, glazed upstands and structural glass fins creates a transparent link that preserves views of the listed town hall and supports the building’s new cultural role.

Early engagement with IQ Projects can support the design and specification of structural roof glazing for heritage, cultural and leisure projects where large spans, water management, thermal performance and complex installation requirements need detailed technical coordination. Contact our team to discuss how bespoke architectural glazing can be integrated into your next project.